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Award-Winning Alaska Cruises

Uncover majestic glaciers, view incredible wildlife, and taste fresh local seafood on an award-winning Alaska cruise.

The Best Alaska Cruise Overall

“One of the most authentic overall Alaska cruise experiences, Holland America Line holds more Glacier Bay permits than any other cruise line. It features a wide range of onboard wildlife experts and immerses guests in local cultures—through workshops and activities like its Alaska Up Close program. We recommend its 7-Day Glacier Discovery itinerary.”

— Forbes, “The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Explore Wildlife, Glaciers & More”

Award presented to Holland America by Forbes Magazine 2025 Best of: Best Cruise in Alaska Award presented to Holland America by Newsweek for America's Most Loved Brands, 2025 Award presented to Holland America by USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best Alaska Cruise, 2024 Award presented to Holland America by CruiseCritic for Best in Cruise, 2024

With Us, Glaciers Are Guaranteed

Set sail with confidence, knowing that you’ll experience the awe-inspiring beauty of glaciers on every Alaska cruise and cruisetour — guaranteed.

Two Ways to Experience the Best of Alaska

Discover the best of Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory with the only cruise line offering overnight stays in this remote region. Choose an Alaska cruise or experience the 49th state’s wild interior on a land-and-sea cruisetour.

Alaska Cruises

Duration: 7–28 days

Departs: Seattle, Vancouver, or Whittier

Cruise

Ports

Explore glaciers, scenery, and frontier towns on board perfectly sized ships.

  • Convenient weekend departures from Seattle and Vancouver
  • Privileged access to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
  • Onboard National Park Service Rangers and Wildlife Experts
  • See a glacier or receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% of your fare

View Alaska Cruises

Alaska Cruisetours

Duration: 9–17 days

Departs: Seattle, Vancouver, Anchorage, or Fairbanks

Cruise

Ports

Train

Lodge

Experience Alaska’s majestic wildlife and wilderness by land and sea.

  • Complimentary tour of Denali National Park & Preserve on all cruisetours
  • Exclusive access to Dawson City, Yukon, with an included Klondike Gold Tour
  • Local Tour Directors providing expert assistance on Denali & Yukon itineraries
  • Private glass-domed railcars and wilderness lodge in the foothills of Denali

Learn More About Alaska Cruisetours

Must-See Alaska Cruise Highlights

From vast glacier-carved bays to thriving wildlife-rich forests, Alaska delivers big moments and discovery around every bend. With more Glacier Bay access, thoughtful service on board, and curated experiences ashore, each day connects iconic sights with authentic stories of the Great Land.

Wildlife Roams

Bald eagles soar overhead, humpbacks breach clear waters, and sea otters play as bears forage salmon-rich streams. Guided perspectives help spot what hides in plain sight — seals on ice floes, a moose on the horizon, or a brown bear crossing open tundra.

Vast Scenic Parks

Experience big skies, sweeping valleys, and wild country where nature sets the pace — places built for quiet awe and wide‑open views that feel endless. Every river bend and vista tells a simple story of Alaska’s living wilderness — vast, protected, and unforgettable.

Glacial Monuments

Tidewater glaciers glow an otherworldly blue, their ancient faces creaking and thundering as ice calves into still water. In Glacier Bay, park guides tell the stories of each ridge line and berg, turning a view into a deeper connection with Alaska’s living ice.

Local Culture

Heritage, history, and working waterfronts ground Alaska’s ports in traditions still lived every day. Alaska Up Close brings you to local craft, storytelling, and regional flavors that connect the map to the Alaskan people who call this place home.

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Top Reasons to Cruise Alaska With Holland America

Holland America
Other Cruise Lines

Alaska Glacier Guarantee™

Experience the grandeur of Alaska’s ice giants — guaranteed. Cruise with us and you’ll either see a glacier or get a Future Cruise Credit worth 15% of your fare.

#1 in Alaska Wildlife & Wilderness Tours

Discover Alaska’s wildlife with 200+ animal sanctuaries and sightseeing opportunities, including the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center’s unforgettable “Reindeer Encounter.”

The Ultimate Alaska Lodge in Denali

Every cruisetour includes a stay at our private wilderness lodge, set in the foothills of Denali National Park & Preserve with stunning views and warm, authentic Alaska hospitality.

Fresh Sustainable Alaska Seafood

Dine on Alaska’s freshest seafood with the only cruise line triple-certified to serve 100% fresh, certified sustainable, and traceable wild Alaska seafood on board our ships.

Featured Alaska Cruise Ports

We’ve been visiting Alaska since 1947 — before it was even a state! Today, we bring our nearly 80 years of expertise to every itinerary, excursion, and onboard experience. Discover the best of these Alaska cruise ports with the Alaska vacation experts.

Ketchikan

  • Shop Creek Street for local art, smoked salmon, and souvenirs
  • See traditional dances and more at Saxman Native Alaskan Village

Called the “salmon capital of the world,” Ketchikan, Alaska, is one of the Inside Passage’s best spots to explore rich Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultural sites.

Explore Ketchikan
Map of Ketchikan, Alaska, and surrounding area

#1 Cruise Line for Alaska Wildlife & Wilderness Tours

Discover Alaska’s ‘Big 5’ through over 175 sanctuaries and sightseeing opportunities, with exclusive access provided by our partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Orca Whales

Book your Alaska cruise between early May and early June for the best chance to see orcas at play.

Grizzly Bears

See Alaska’s enchanting bears on a complimentary tour through Denali National Park & Preserve.

Moose

Visit rescued moose and other Alaska animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Dall's Sheep

These nimble ruminants’ padded cloven hooves allow them to leap among Alaska’s ridges and slopes.

Humpback Whales

Every summer, humpback whales glide into Alaska’s Inside Passage to feed, play, and mingle.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are often observed floating on their backs and are even known to “hold hands.”

Caribou

Caribou (reindeer) are the only deer family members in which both males and females grow antlers.

Gray Wolf

Denali National Park & Preserve is one of the best places to spot these elusive animals in the wild.

Alaska’s National Parks

From glaciers and wildlife to North America’s highest peak, discover the Great Land’s wild natural beauty in Alaska’s national parks.
Learn More

Alaska Cruise Departure Ports

You can find enticing things to do at all Alaska cruise departure ports. Alaska cruises from Seattle and Vancouver feature big city attractions, galleries, and museums. While smaller ports offer once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing and history. The choice is yours!

Cruises from Seattle
There’s no shortage of iconic attractions in Seattle, among them the waterfront, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Read on to plan your cruise, and discover places in Seattle to visit before or after your voyage.
Cruises from Vancouver
Once a trading post and a rough-and-tumble sawmilling settlement, today’s Vancouver is a bustling, diverse metropolis that’s a mix of glassy new skyscrapers, quaint historic neighborhoods, and plentiful green spaces.
Cruises from Whittier
An easy drive from Anchorage, Whittier is on the Prince William Sound and rich with natural beauty. Spend a day exploring the glacier-filled waters or head to Anchorage to hike the Chugach National Forest.
Cruisetours from Anchorage
Anchorage is a city where summer days can stretch to a whopping 19 hours, and there is an abundance of outdoorsy things to do. Anchorage has lots of moose, known for being a bit rambunctious.
Cruisetours from Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city, was born of gold rush fever. A favorite stop among history buffs, you can pan for gold with miners or take a sternwheeler into the heart of Alaska.

Ships Made Specifically for Exploring Alaska

Mid-sized ships with wraparound decks, open viewing areas, and a refined onboard experience thoughtfully designed for Alaska — all paired with an unhurried atmosphere for more of the moments that matter.

Explore Alaska on a Cruise With Holland America

Our perfectly sized ships take you closer to Alaska’s glaciers, wildlife, and remote wilderness. On board, our 360° “We Heart Alaska” programming brings you deeper into the stories, people, and cultures that make the Great Land unforgettable.

A Front-Row Seat to Alaska Grandeur

With wraparound decks and open viewing areas, our perfectly sized ships offer a front-row seat to Alaska’s untamed beauty. On Glacier Days, get close to towering glaciers while enjoying hot Dutch pea soup and other thoughtful touches.

 

Meet Our Ships

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Alaska Travel Tips and Articles

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise From gear to accessories and outerwear to formalwear, prepare for your Alaska vacation with our expert packing guide.
The Complete Guide to Glacier Viewing Learn about the many ways to experience glaciers on Alaska cruises, from hiking and biking to dogsledding and flightseeing tours.
Top Things to Do in Alaska Discover the Great Land’s top attractions, from fishing trips and glacier- and wildlife-viewing to riding aboard the Alaska rails.
View All Alaska Articles

Alaska Travel Tips and Articles

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise From gear to accessories and outerwear to formalwear, prepare for your Alaska vacation with our expert packing guide.
The Complete Guide to Glacier Viewing Learn about the many ways to experience glaciers on Alaska cruises, from hiking and biking to dogsledding and flightseeing tours.
Top Things to Do in Alaska Discover the Great Land’s top attractions, from fishing trips and glacier- and wildlife-viewing to riding aboard the Alaska rails.

Cruise Travel Made Simple

From pre- and post-cruise flights and hotels to transportation, Holland America provides one-stop planning support for a seamless journey.

Book a Flight

The easiest way to book flights for your cruise.

Book a Hotel

Extend your trip with a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay.

Book Cruise Transportation

Travel to and from your cruise hassle-free.

Need Help Planning? Contact Our Personal Cruise Consultants.

Get complimentary, personalized guidance from a Holland America expert to plan your ideal itinerary and manage travel details with ease. Try this free service today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports will I visit on a Holland America Alaska cruise?

Most itineraries call at the classic Inside Passage ports — Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Sitka. Ships dock within easy reach of downtown, putting totem parks, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, and glacier excursions close at hand.

When is the best time for an Alaska cruise?

The best time to cruise Alaska varies by what you hope to experience, but Holland America sails Alaska from May through September. July and August bring the longest daylight and the most active wildlife, while May and September offer better value, a quieter pace, and fewer visitors alongside crisp mountain scenery.

What’s the difference between a round-trip and a one-way Alaska cruise? 

A round-trip voyage departs from and returns to Seattle or Vancouver, tracing the Inside Passage. A one-way cruise links Vancouver and Whittier, the gateway to Anchorage. 

Does Holland America offer land and sea cruisetours? 

Yes. A land-and-sea Alaska cruisetour pairs your voyage with rail travel and up to three nights at Holland America’s private Denali Lodge near Denali National Park. Denali and Yukon cruisetours offer a rewarding way to explore the Yukon.

What wildlife and glaciers might I spot?

Watch for humpback whales, sea otters, harbor seals, and bald eagles along the coast, plus brown bears and moose ashore. Many itineraries cruise the tidewater glaciers of Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, or Dawes Glacier.

How far ahead should I book my Alaska cruise? 

Popular dates, Glacier Bay sailings, and cruisetours sell out early. Booking 6 to 12 months ahead gives you the widest choice of staterooms, itineraries, and fares for your Alaska cruise.

Earn 20,000 Bonus Points

That's enough for a $200 onboard credit. Winner of The Trazees 2025 Favorite Cruise Line Credit Card!

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