Holland America Line Gets Ready to Celebrate 80 Years in Alaska Following Successful 2026 Cruise Season
The cruise line unveils more ways to experience the Great Land in 2027 and reflects on the community support in 2026 ahead of milestone anniversary
Seattle, Wash., Oct. 5, 2026 — As Holland America’s 2026 Alaska season ends, the cruise line is looking ahead to next summer’s milestone season celebrating 80 years of exploring the Great Land. For eight decades, Holland America has built a depth of knowledge in Alaska, helping shape an experience that brings the destination to life both on board and ashore. That expertise gives guests more ways to see Alaska’s wildlife and witness its glaciers than any other cruise line, from immersive wilderness exploration to signature glacier-viewing.
That deep Alaska knowledge comes through in the details of the journey, from fresh, local seafood served on every Alaska sailing to stays at Holland America Denali Lodge and the only opportunity to combine a cruise with a visit to the Yukon. Holland America has been connected to Alaska since before it was a state, and that relationship continues not only through its cruises and overland tours, but with support for the communities it visits.
“Alaska has been an important part of Holland America Line’s story for nearly 80 years, and we’re already preparing to mark this milestone following a successful 2026 season,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “Our decades of experience in Alaska give us a deep understanding of what makes this destination so special, and that knowledge helps us create experiences that allow our guests to connect with the state in meaningful ways. We’re proud of the memories we created this season and the relationships we continue to build in the communities we visit.”
Looking forward to a milestone year exploring Alaska
Holland America will make its 80th year exploring Alaska one to remember, with six ships sailing from Seattle; Vancouver, Canada; and Whittier, Alaska, from April through September 2027: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. To mark the anniversary, guests can look forward to new ways to discover Alaska with new itineraries, exclusive celebrations, special culinary moments, and enrichment and entertainment experiences commemorating the milestone.
Next season Holland America also will debut a significant addition to Holland America Denali Lodge with the opening of new guest accommodations as part of a broader enhancement and expansion of the line’s property at the doorstep of Denali National Park and Preserve.
2027 Alaska highlights:
o NEW: An eight-day “Alaska Inside Passage” cruise takes guests roundtrip from Vancouver through the storied Inside Passage before a visit to Glacier Bay and calls at Skagway, Ketchikan and British Columbia’s Prince Rupert.
o The popular 28-day “Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise returns for a third year. Departing June 6 in time for the Summer Solstice, the Noordam voyage sails roundtrip from Seattle to the Bering Sea and into the Arctic Circle.
o Combining Alaska with more wildlife and the rugged nature of British Columbia is a seven-day “Great Bear Rainforest” cruise aboard Noordam and two sailings of an 18-Day “Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer” aboard Zaandam.
o Renovations at Holland America Denali Lodge will be completed in 2027, further enhancing the guest experience at the property. Final enhancements include:
· Construction of two new guest buildings replacing older structures, equating to new rooms and an increase in Lodge capacity by 72 rooms.
· A refresh and redesign of the Main Lodge interiors and public spaces.
· Full renovation of Grizzly Grind, a coffee shop for guests.
The 2027 season builds on the momentum of 2026, a season marked by continued investment in bringing the Alaska experience to life.
2026 Alaska highlights:
o Glaciers took center stage, with more than 150 opportunities to visit one or more of Alaska’s iconic glaciated destinations: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier and Endicott Arm. Shore excursions also offered the opportunity to visit additional glaciers like Mendenhall and Portage glaciers.
o Guests visiting Holland America Denali Lodge enjoyed a range of new culinary offerings with menus redesigned by Chef Ethan Stowell, where he expanded the use of local ingredients and flavors throughout the property’s eateries. Furthermore, guests staying at the Lodge enjoyed renovated accommodations and refreshed public spaces.
o Acclaimed bartender Sam Ross created a menu of exclusive cocktails featured in the bars across the fleet in Alaska, including new Glacial Ice Cocktails.
o Holland America rolled out enhanced “Ultimate Alaska & Denali” Cruisetours, adding a tour director to join the multi-day inland adventure portion.
Holland America Line continues to invest in Alaska communities
During the 2026 season, Holland America contributed more than $320,000 to organizations and initiatives across Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Denali. Support included a $75,000 commitment to Ketchikan American Legion Post 3 and a $5,000 donation to Scouting America Troops 4 and 2004 through the cruise lines’ Pennies program.
Included in that community investment, Holland America Line contributed $150,000 to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to support animal care and development of the Holland America Moose Promenade. And through On Deck for a Cause, guests raised more than $60,000 for Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands.
As Holland America Line approaches its 80th year in Alaska, the cruise line remains committed to creating meaningful destination experiences and supporting the communities and landscapes that make the Great Land special.