Alaskan Explorer Cruises

Beauty and adventure await you
Departing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Seattle's beautiful Puget Sound to Vancouver Island and the Gulf of Alaska, scenic beauty surrounds you for the whole of this Alaska cruise itinerary. Choose the Glacier Bay route and watch in wonder as whales, puffins and the park’s tidewater glaciers come into view. Or discover Wrangell-St. Elias, North America's largest national park, and experience the colossal Hubbard Glacier and St. Elias Mountain Range. Take a dogsled adventure in Juneau, learn about Tlingit culture in Sitka, flightsee over Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan and visit Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia. Set your adventurous spirit free on an Alaskan Explorer cruise vacation.

Click on our new Interactive Map for port details, shore excursions, destination videos and more.

Featured Ports & Excursions

Glacier Bay

As Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay National Park; protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. How does it feel when a monumental chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder. The impact shoots water hundreds of feet into the air. You hold your breath as you catch the moment on film. Then you wait for it all to happen again. And it does. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world.

Hubbard Glacier

Come face to face with a gigantic wall of ice that fills your view and extends for miles in either direction. It s a titan on the move, advancing faster than almost any other glacier on the continent. When it reaches saltwater at Disenchantment Bay, the imposing architecture of this behemoth measures five miles in width and 40 stories in height, dwarfing even the largest ships. As you glide along this sparkling blue marvel, watch for seals basking on ice floes, listen for the loud, deep rumble and wait for the mighty crack and thunderous crash. At any moment, you could be witness to an eternal drama as nature s hand sculpts icebergs before your wondering eyes.

Juneau, Alaska, US

Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the town of Juneau has the massive Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields at its back door. Juneau is the place to let your imagination run wild. Explore the lush Tongass National Forest. Visit the rustic shops in town. Or get out and kayak, dogsled, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee or fish. There s no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. Climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great spot to hike and shoot a souvenir photo.

Ketchikan, Alaska, US

Built out over the water and climbing weathered stairways, Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and drapes the mountains with a cheerful air. Besides the main attractions - Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village, try a flightseeing trip to breathtaking Misty Fjords National Monument--a transformational adventure not to be missed. These deep water fjords left by retreating glaciers left granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls cascading into placid waters. The souvenir photos you'll take from the pontoons of the plane are worth the trip alone.

Sitka, Alaska, US

The onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian settlement - the colonial headquarters of Count Baranof, no less. Discover the echoes of its heyday at a performance by the New Archangel Dancers. Be greeted by Tlingit native people, then stand on the spot where the United States took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, less than two cents per acre. The dramatic setting in the shadow of Mt. Edgecumbe is one of the lovliest in the Great Land. Take a stroll through old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district, and poke around the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a close-up look at some of the city's most prized arts, crafts and Russian relics.

Victoria, British Columbia, CA

A touch of England awaits: afternoon tea, double-decker buses, the famed Butchart Gardens - a brilliant tapestry of color spread across 50 blooming acres. Sample shore excursions: A Taste of Victoria: City Lights with Wine & Chocolate; Ale Trail & Pub Tour.

Protection Plans

Hotels/Tours

Some of the world's greatest travel highlights are within reach, before or after your cruise. Why not plan a little extra time and extend your experience even further with an expertly guided tour? Or explore at your own pace, with a premium hotel as your home base.

Anchorage & Alyeska

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Transfer upgrade or 1-night package

A six-hour dayboat cruise of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park is a quintessential Alaskan experience no nature lover should miss. Marvel at an ice-blue tidewater glacier; towering cliffs; and serene waters frequented by whales, sea lions and otters (lunch included).

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE OR CRUISETOUR FARE

CruiseTour Guests (Transfer Upgrade) us $159

Available for Tours 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 24.

Available as a pre-or post-tour option for Tours 1–10, 11V, 12V, 16V, 23, 24V, 25 & 26.

Alyeska Resort/Hotel Alyeska

1-night package

Add a night at the Hotel Alyeska and enjoy the luxurious spa, the four-diamond Seven Glaciers Restaurant, the scenic Mt. Alyeska tram, extensive trails and a wide array of optional excursions such as kayaking in Prince William Sound, rafting Sixmile Creek or taking a Prince William Sound cruise.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE OR CRUISETOUR FARE

CruiseTour and Cruise-Only Guests us $259

Available as a pre-or post-tour option for Tours 1–10, 11V, 12V, 16V, 23, 24V, 25 & 26.

Portage Glacier & Anchorage Sightseeing

Transfer upgrade or 1-night package

Add a night in Anchorage and include a Portage Glacier Tour on board the mv Ptarmigan for a narrated cruise across Portage Lake to the spectacular Portage Glacier. Continue on to Anchorage and see some of the historical points of interest. Visit the 25-acre Alaska Native Heritage Center to view historic displays and tour five traditional village settings.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE OR CRUISETOUR FARE

CruiseTour Guests (Transfer Upgrade) us $77

Tours 11, 12, 15, 16, 21, 22 & 24.

With Anchorage Overnight Cruise-Only Guests us $299 CruiseTour Guests 249

Available as a pre-or post-tour option for Tours 1–10, 11V, 12V, 16V, 23, 24V, 25 & 26.

Seward Highway Sightseeing Transfer to/from Seward

Transfer

Relax as you travel the fabled Seward Highway via deluxe motor coach. Travel between the port of Seward and cosmopolitan Anchorage, experiencing the lush forests of the Chugach Mountains and scenic Turnagain Arm along the way.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE FARE

Cruise-Only Guests us $72

Prince William Sound Explorer

1-night package

Travel the Seward Highway to Whittier, where you’ll board your sightseeing vessel specially designed to navigate the waters of Prince William Sound. During your cruise, travel into the sound to view numerous glaciers. On board, enjoy lunch (included). Be on the lookout for sea otters, seals, porpoises, sea lions and whales. More than 200 species of birds inhabit Prince William Sound, and the bald eagle is one of the most commonly sighted. Return to Anchorage this evening.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISETOUR FARE

CruiseTour Guests us $369

Available as a pre- or post-tour option for Tours 1–10.

Cruisetrain Transfer to/from Seward

Transfer upgrade or 1-night package

If you’re a rail buff, the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic route serving Seward and Anchorage is an exciting alternative to the Seward Highway. Wind through some of the most beautiful scenery to be found along the railway. For those guests on afternoon flights, the cruisetrain departs Seward at 7:00am and arrives in Anchorage at 11:30am.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE OR CRUISETOUR FARE

Cruise-Only Guests us $120 CruiseTour Guests (Transfer Upgrade) 48

Available for Tours 11, 12, 15, 16, 21, 22 & 24

With Anchorage Overnight us $289

Anchorage, Fairbanks & the Arctic

Brooks Range Expedition

2-night package

Head north from Fairbanks along the scenic Dalton Highway. Highlights of the day’s motor coach sightseeing through spectacular country include a stop in Joy for a visit to the Arctic Circle Trading Post, a lunch stop along the Yukon River, and an Arctic Circle crossing with an official Arctic Circle Club certificate to commemorate the event. Overnight in remote Coldfoot, a former pipeline construction camp.

The next morning continue north to the Arctic Divide. Stop for a short walk on the Chandalar Shelf near the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Visit the wilderness village of Wiseman, enjoy a walking tour of the village with a local host. After lunch, board a raft for a memorable float down the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River. Return to Fairbanks on a late-afternoon flight for your overnight stay in a downtown hotel. Please note: no meals included.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISETOUR FARE

With Coldfoot & Fairbanks Overnights CruiseTour Guests us $699

Available as a pre- or post-tour option for Tours 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 24.

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Anaktuvuk Pass

1-night package

Experience the most dramatic scenery in Alaska on this full-day tour from Fairbanks, flying into the heart of the central Brooks Range. Land within the Gates of the Arctic National Park at Anaktuvuk Pass, nearly 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Visit the Eskimo village and people whose rich, ancient heritage guides them as they work to blend modern ways with traditional subsistence life. Walk with Eskimo guides in the village and visit the Simon Paneak Memorial Museum. Learn about the Nunamiut (inland) Eskimo way of life and the value of caribou as its economic foundation. Visit the national park ranger station and lunch at the Nunamiut Village Restaurant (included).

Explore subsistence hunting trails across the treeless arctic tundra, traveling tribal lands within the boundaries of the national park. Travel with an Eskimo guide as today’s Nunamiut do, on an 8-wheel ARGO, all-terrain vehicle. Anaktuvuk is a unique eco-system where ancient mountains, tundra and Eskimo culture come together for an unforgettable arctic journey.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISETOUR FARE

With Fairbanks Overnight CruiseTour Guests us $739

Available as a pre- or post-tour option for Tours 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 24.

Seattle & Vancouver

Seattle & Mt. Rainier Explorer

2-night package

Arrive in Seattle for a two-night stay in a downtown deluxe hotel. Enjoy the city’s art, heritage and culture, all in a setting of rare natural beauty. On clear days you can see Mt. Rainier from downtown Seattle, but to grasp its full beauty, you must see it up close. Your scenic drive includes breathtaking vistas of this rocky peak more than 14,000 feet tall. On your way to Paradise Visitor Center, linger at several scenic lookout points and gaze at the natural wonders

— crashing waterfalls, diverse plant life and the snowcapped summit. In the late afternoon your motor coach will follow a different route back to Seattle, allowing you to enjoy even more scenery.

This package includes Gray Line of Seattle’s Hop-on/Hop-off Double-decker buses and sightseeing vouchers allowing you to tour Seattle at your own pace.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE FARE

Roundtrip Seattle Cruise Guests us $429

Available as a pre- or post-cruise option.

Discover Seattle

One-night package

Overnight in a deluxe downtown hotel and sightsee via hop-on-and-off double-decker bus. Your sightseeing vouchers allow you to choose from six local attractions: Cruise the Locks, Experience Music Project, Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Ride the Ducks, or Smith Tower. Double-decker buses depart every 30 minutes from key Seattle locations.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE FARE

Roundtrip Seattle Cruise Guests us $229

Vancouver & Whistler Resort

3-night package

Arrive in Vancouver for an overnight stay at the Fairmont Waterfront hotel. Enjoy world-class arts and entertainment, fine dining and great shopping in this cosmopolitan city. A scenic drive on the Sea to Sky Highway the following day brings you to the heart of Whistler, where you will enjoy two nights at the elegant Fairmont Château Whistler. This resort offers a playground for the golf enthusiast or anyone with a passion for the outdoors. Take advantage of the Château’s fully equipped health club, featuring a fitness center, eucalyptus steam rooms, sauna, hot tubs, tennis courts and a heated lap pool with underwater music. The day is yours.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE FARE

Roundtrip Vancouver Guests us $459

Available as a pre- or post-cruise option.

Vancouver & Victoria

2-night package

Arrive in Vancouver for a two-night stay at a deluxe downtown hotel. Voted the “Best City in the Americas” by Condé Nast Traveler, Vancouver is a dynamic, multicultural city set in a spectacular natural environment. Travel to Vancouver Island via ferry through the Gulf Islands. Stop at the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Covering more than 55 acres, the gardens are a lush paradise of flowers, rare trees and winding paths that were created more than 100 years ago. Next, British Columbia’s capital city, Victoria, maintains its rich sense of history with beautiful Victorian architecture, tree-lined streets and old British charm. This evening return to Vancouver for your second night.

ADD TO YOUR CRUISE OR CRUISETOUR FARE

CruiseTour and Cruise-Only Guests us $429

Available for guests as a pre- or post-cruise or tour option.

The hotels we recommend to our guests provide superb quality and service. Not only do you pay in U.S. dollars with no exchange rate risk, but hotel porterage is included. And you will have a Holland America Line hospitality representative at your service in
the hotel.

Seattle, Washington

Deluxe Downtown Hotels

SHERATON

Nestled in the city’s vibrant core, gateway to all the sights, sounds and experiences of
the Northwest

FAIRMONT OLYMPIC HOTEL

A premier luxury hotel, the Pacific Northwest’s only AAA Five Diamond hotel, a designation it has held since 1984

Deluxe Airport Hotel

HILTON SEATTLE AIRPORT

Not a typical Seattle airport hotel, this expansive full-service hotel boasts state-of-the-art amenities

Vancouver, British Columbia

Sightseeing transfer between hotel and Vancouver pier included.

Deluxe Downtown Hotels

PAN PACIFIC
FAIRMONT WATERFRONT

Deluxe Airport Hotel

FAIRMONT VANCOUVER AIRPORT

Anchorage, Alaska

VARIOUS HOTELS

Fairbanks, Alaska

VARIOUS HOTELS

Package inclusions:
Fares include applicable room taxes, bellman gratuities and airport/hotel/ship transfers where applicable. Holland America Line may substitute hotels of equal standard where necessary. Not all hotels can accommodate triples and quads, and when available may consist of two double beds and may not be suitable for three adults. Special requests such as nonsmoking, king or double beds, etc., are at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be guaranteed. Guests are responsible for incidentals and meals unless noted otherwise.